Natal Fruit Fly vs Drone Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Natal Fruit Fly | Drone Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ceratitis rosa | Eristalis tenax |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tephritidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa, Indian Ocean Islands | Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Natal Fruit Fly
A colorful African fruit fly closely related to the Mediterranean fruit fly. It attacks tropical and subtropical fruits across sub-Saharan Africa.
Did You Know?
It prefers cooler, higher-altitude habitats than the medfly, occupying a complementary niche in Africa.
Drone Fly
A large hoverfly that is an excellent mimic of the honey bee, complete with similar coloring and buzzing flight. Its aquatic larva is known as a rat-tailed maggot due to its long breathing siphon.
Did You Know?
The rat-tailed maggot larva can breathe in heavily polluted water by extending its telescoping tail siphon up to 10 centimeters to reach the surface air.